Powell endorses Obama

Not only is the general right on McCain, he also appears to be the last Republican living who understands that, as a fundamental right, "freedom of religion" applies to everyone, not simply to Christians (or the mythical "Judeo-Christians"), to theists, or to whoever happens to be in the majority this week.

I'm also troubled by, not what Sen. McCain says, but what members of the party say, and it is permitted to be said such things as: "Well, you know that Mr. Obama is a Muslim." Well, the correct answer is: he is not a Muslim. He's a Christian. He's always been a Christian.
But the really right answer is: What if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer is: No, that's not America. Is there something wrong with some 7-year-old Muslim-American kid believing he or she can be President?
Yet I have heard senior members of my own party drop the suggestion: he's a Muslim, and he might be associated with terrorists. This is not the way we should be doing it in America.

A Devastating Blow to John McCain - Salon

Colin Powell Condemns the Ugliness of the Republican Party - Salon

And of course let's not forget the Sunday gasbags:
Unease in the Conservative Commentariat - The New York Times

LATE ADDITION: Powell’s Endorsement Puts Spotlight on His Legacy - The New York Times